Chapter 1: Diphtheria

“We should never forget that God granted us the power to reason so that we would do His work here on Earth - so that we would use science to cure disease, and heal the sick, and save lives.” – Barack Obama.

York, Great Britain. June 1070

Marion sat on her bed at the end of another long day and, like every day over the past seven months, stared at the latest family portrait hanging on the wall. The portrait had been painted a year before when her life was much happier. Then, her guards didn’t hate her, and her husband loved her. While her guards still performed their duties, most looked disgusted when she walked by. The bed shifted, and Marion’s only remaining friend sat beside her.

Gabriella was just as guilty as Marion for the shift in their lives and was being punished in much the same way. Alice had moved out during the first week of January and rented a small house near the hospital for her family. Pollyanna had done the same thing; she and her children lived near the army base. When she moved, she also told Matt he wasn’t welcome in her new home. Matt resigned from the army and now lived in a bottle where, to everyone’s relief, he couldn’t do any more damage. At least that issue wasn’t related to the rest since Matt had proven himself incompetent and jealous of Pollyanna’s success. Marion’s other personal problems were directly related to one mistake she would give almost anything to go back in time and prevent.

“Come on, Marion. Staring at his painting won’t bring him back.”

“Why? Why was I such a bitch? What’s wrong with me that I think I can treat him in such a way?” Marion softly sobbed.

“I don’t know, Marion. Why didn’t we tell you the French bitch was full of it? If you can answer that, then you should be able to answer your question.”

Marion laid her head on Gabriella’s shoulder as tears streamed down her face. It had been four months since she had seen Luke and ten months since she had felt the pleasure of his body. The last time she had seen him was when he stopped by to give Mackenzie and Carl their birthday presents. For Mackenzie’s fourth birthday, Luke had found a beautiful top that a local woodworker had made; it was brightly decorated and quickly became her favorite toy. Carl also got a simpler top and new boots.

That day still haunted Marion’s dreams. The only people who helped Mackenzie celebrate her birthday were their family. Marion’s inner circle had stayed away, hoping to avoid any fireworks. To give herself more time with Mackenzie, Marion decided only to work half a day and spend the rest with her children. Things started fine with Marion and Gabriella giving Mackenzie some gifts that she could use, like new clothes and shoes. It wasn’t until after dinner that things went downhill for Marion.

As they finished dinner, one of Marion’s guards whispered in her ear, causing the blood to run out of her face. She could only give the guard a slight nod and stare at the door. Gabriella didn’t know what was happening until the door opened, revealing Luke in his uniform holding a small bag. Mackenzie saw her daddy and rocketed off Marion’s lap, the first knife to her heart that evening.

Luke grunted as he picked Mackenzie up.

“What has mommy been feeding you, kiddo? Have you been a good girl?” Mackenzie nodded enthusiastically, sending her curly blonde hair flying. “Well, happy birthday, munchkin.”

Luke handed her a brown paper bag that revealed the top when Mackenzie opened it. She squealed and sat on the floor to start playing with the top while unknowingly demonstrating the laws of motion. Luke smiled at her before hugging the rest of his children. It was the first time he had seen them in seven months, and during that time, they had grown. He also gave his son Carl a top and a pair of kid-sized combat boots since the party was also for him. Fredrick’s birthday wasn’t until later in the year, so he didn’t get a gift, but Luke hugged him.

Once Luke finished handing out gifts, he looked at Marion and a very pregnant Gabriella. Marion tried to keep the tears from flowing, but it was a losing battle.

“Your Majesty. Colonel.” Luke said with a nod to both women.

That was all it took for the tears to flow freely down Marion’s face as she rushed to Luke and threw her arms around his neck. She hoped Luke would wrap his arms around her but was crushed when he gently pushed her off him and turned to play with the children. It was all Marion could take as she fled the room, not that Luke or the children noticed.

Things got worse for Marion when Luke was getting ready to leave. Marion had been begging him to stay, but he refused. When Mackenzie asked him to stay and tell her a bedtime story, it took her no effort to convince her daddy to tell her and her siblings one of his stories of growing up in the 21^st century. The children didn’t realize his stories were real; they thought they were fairy tales. Unknown to Luke, Marion sat around the corner from the children’s room and listened. As Mackenzie was about to close her eyes, Marion got the next stab to the chest.

“Daddy?” Mackenzie asked, “Can you stay the night?”

“No, I can’t, kiddo. Daddy needs to return to the army base.”

“But why? You used to stay here.”

Luke sighed, “You should ask your mother.”

“So, why does mommy cry every night and wish you to come home?”

Luke’s voice caught; how do you explain betrayal to a four-year-old?

“Sometimes, sweetie, adults do things that make no sense to anyone and hurt people they love. I still love your mother deeply, never doubt that, but she hurt me badly, and I haven’t healed yet.”

“Do you know when you will heal? I want you home, Daddy!”

“Oh, sweetheart. Sometimes, the ways adults hurt each other never heals. I promise you that no matter what happens, I will never forget you and will help you in any way I can. Now you need to go to sleep.”

“Okay, Daddy.”

“And Mackenzie.”

“Yes, Daddy?”

“Just because your mother and I are not together anymore does not give you an excuse not to listen to her.”

“Yes, Daddy. Good night.” Mackenzie said through a yawn.

“Night, munchkin.”

Luke pulled the cover up to her chin and kissed her forehead before turning to leave. Before he stepped through the door, Luke stopped to check on the children. All of them were sleeping like perfect angels, and he couldn’t have felt more pride in how they were turning out. By all accounts, his children grew fast, were healthy, and well-behaved.

After the children fell asleep, Luke went to leave, but Marion intercepted him at the door to try one last time. After hearing Luke and Mackenzie, it took Marion everything to keep it together.

“Would you like to stay the night? It would be much safer than returning to the base in the dark.”

“Sorry, but I need to get back.”

“Please, Luke?” Marion begged with tears running down her face. “I know I was wrong to condemn you without you being able to defend yourself, and I know I was wrong to believe that lying French bitch when she accused you.”

“Why did you believe her?” Luke snapped.

Marion sighed, “I don’t know, Luke.” She didn’t have the courage to look into his eyes when she said it, preferring to inspect the tops of her shoes.

“Until you figure that out, don’t ask me to stay again,” Luke growled. “YOU crushed all trust I had in you! YOU crushed me Marion, when you forbade me from seeing the children. My former lover was no better, so at least you’re not alone in your fucking stupidity. Now, if you will excuse me, Your Majesty, I need to be leaving before the weather turns.”

Luke turned and left before Marion could say anything. As the door shut, Marion broke down and sobbed as she went and grabbed a bottle of her strongest wine. When Gabriella saw the wine bottle, she tried to stop Marion’s drinking, but to no avail. Marion drank the whole bottle and passed out while Gabriella cried herself to sleep.

When Alice learned that Luke had visited Marion, she was furious. Luke had visited Marion and not her. Alice hadn’t seen Luke since before he shipped out to France and now missed seeing him again. She would have been still living with Marion, but seeing Marion was a constant reminder of what they did to Luke, so Alice moved out into her own place.

With her medical empire growing in leaps and bounds, money wasn’t a problem for her, but companionship was. When news of her and Luke splitting made its way around, Alice found she had suiters lining up to have the opportunity to court her. While Alice and Luke might not have been together, she still loved him completely and would happily give almost anything to have him back, but she understood why that couldn’t happen. Still, there were times, especially at night, when Alice craved Luke’s contact and his scent. At least Luke was giving Marion the cold shoulder, too.

Pollyanna was the group’s only member who did not condemn Luke but had her own problems. Matt had finally overstayed his welcome when Pollyanna came home and caught him in bed with two recruits who believed sleeping with Matt would provide them a shortcut through training. After catching Matt, Pollyanna kicked Matt out and rented her new home. When Luke heard, he gave Matt a simple choice: resign from the army and keep his mouth shut about Luke’s secret or face prison; he chose to resign. Matt had started cheating on Pollyanna because he felt threatened by her success.

In May 1070, Pollyanna gave birth to her and Luke’s child, who had been conceived during their evening together in France. Luke was at Pollyanna’s side for the child’s birth and cried when Pollyanna named her boy Lucus Hall. Marion and Alice had made it a point to stay away while Luke was with Pollyanna, only visiting once they were sure he was gone.

One might wonder why, as Luke’s commanding officer, Marion didn’t order him to report to her. If Marion had ordered Luke to report to her, he would have, but she didn’t order him to report. Instead, she only insisted on written reports and visits from junior officers. After talking with Gabriella, Marion correctly determined that she had to let Luke take the next step, and if she tried to hurry that step, it would take him even longer to do it.

It was a warm night in June, and Marion was having problems sleeping. After her nightly cry, she and Gabriella had turned in, hoping to get a good sleep that never seemed to arrive. Marion had just fallen asleep when one of the children woke her up, moaning in pain. Quickly, Marion and Gabriella threw robes on to investigate. To their horror, they found Edhida covered in sweat. Recognizing she was infected with some disease, they moved the rest of the children out of the room and sent for Alice.

Alice arrived an hour later, looking like she had just been woken up; her children were in the care of their governess. It didn’t take long for Alice to recognize Edhida had come down with diphtheria, and she forced Marion and Gabriella out of the room.

“I don’t want anyone going into that room who hasn’t had diphtheria.”

“I haven’t had it,” said Marion.

“Me neither,” added Gabriella. “Do we know anyone who would be safe?”

“I do,” said Alice as she hurriedly left the room.

“Who?” cried Marion, but Alice was already out the door and didn’t hear her.

Alice raced to the army base and was granted immediate access. She was one of the few who would be let in during the off hours without a signed pass. Not knowing where Luke was staying, she demanded one of the guards take her to him. Knowing who Alice was, the guard took Alice to the small brick building where Luke had been living. Not wanting the guard to hear, she dismissed him before pounding on Luke’s door. As she pounded on the door, the sick child wasn’t the first thought on her mind; Alice was wondering what she would do if she found another woman in Luke’s bed.

Luke had been sound asleep when someone beating on his door woke him up. At first, Luke ignored them and put a pillow over his head, but the person at the door persisted. He groaned as he stumbled out of bed to put on his pants. Whoever was at the door had better have a good reason for waking him, or they would be used as live target practice. When he peaked out the door, he was greeted by a beautiful redhead.

“Alice, what are you doing here?” Luke mumbled as he tried to rub the sleep out of his eyes.

While Luke loved Alice, he didn’t like being woken in the middle of the night.

“Luke, I’m sorry for waking you, but this isn’t a social call. I’m here because Edhida is sick, and I think she has diphtheria. Marion has already moved everyone out of her room, and I ordered her door sealed to keep it from spreading.”

Before Alice could finish her thought, Luke threw his door open and was packing before Alice could enter. All thoughts of sleep left Luke’s mind at once. While Luke packed, Alice looked at where he had been living. It was a simple one-room building with a bed only big enough for a single person in the corner. In the opposite corner was a kitchenette with a small stove and ice box. All of Luke’s clothing fit in one mid-sized armoire near his bed. Alice could see that Luke had been the only one living there and felt an immeasurable sense of relief.

Once he had a small bag, Luke rushed to the door and, picking Alice up, gave her a deep kiss that curled her toes and flooded her thighs. The moan that escaped her mouth was involuntary, and she wrapped her arms tightly around Luke’s neck as she sobbed. Luke was thanking Alice for telling him about Edhida, while Alice was thanking him for not having a new woman in his life.

“Thank you for telling me, Alice. The last thing I want is one of you taking such a risk as purposely exposing yourselves to diphtheria. Come on, let’s go. I need to leave word that General Jaavika is in charge while I’m caring for Edhida.”

Having come from 21^st-century America and served in the Marines, Luke had been vaccinated against numerous diseases, including diphtheria. After Alice recovered from Luke’s kiss, she followed him out the door and to the security office so he could send word to General Jaavika that she was in charge of the base until further notice.

Luke rushed into Marion’s chambers and her arms. She was waiting for him and intercepted him before he could take two steps into the room. If Luke’s kiss curled Alice’s toes, Marion’s kiss almost gave Luke a heart attack.

“Thank you for coming, Luke. Edhida is hurting, and I’m so afraid. I love her and don’t want to lose her.”

“I love her too. That’s why I came.”

Edhida was lying in bed and covered in sweat when Luke entered her room.

“Hey, Edhida.”

“Hello, Daddy. I feel terrible.”

“I know, pumpkin. We’re going to try to get you feeling better.”

“What about your job with the army?”

“To hell with the army, Edhida. I’m going to be here to make you feel better. Now you relax, pumpkin.”

“Daddy, I’m scared. I don’t want to die!” cried Edhida.

“Well, I’m here to ensure that doesn’t happen.”

“Can you hold me?”

“Of course.”

Luke sat next to Edhida’s bed and held her hand. From the door, Marion watched Luke with tears running down her face. This was the same man she accused of raping the French queen the year before and didn’t allow him to defend himself. Now, he was sitting with their adopted daughter while she was in extreme pain and possibly on death’s doorstep. Marion knew Luke had plenty of other things he needed to do, but he was still willing to make time for someone in his family.

The following day, Marion found Luke still sitting next to Edhida in a position that Marion knew would hurt him. As Marion poked her head in the door, Luke woke up and stretched before checking on Edhida; she was weak and had a high temperature. Luke ordered some thin broth and yogurt for her so she could eat while ordering a couple of eggs for himself. Marion was all too happy to take Luke’s order and give it to the cooks while putting a rush on it.

When the food arrived, Luke fed Edhida before he ate. Before giving her any broth, he tasted it and added salt to replace what she lost through sweating. Luke also made Edhida drink a glass of water with a touch of honey and salt every hour. The biggest killer of most diseases wasn’t the disease but the symptoms like dehydration or being weakened from lack of nutrients. Edhida didn’t want to eat, but Luke gave her no choice, almost forcing the food down her throat. After Edhida had finished eating, Luke went to the shower and set up a chair for Edhida to sit on while she took a lukewarm shower. While Edhida was sitting under the cooling stream of water, Luke stripped her bed and sent all her bedding to be steam cleaned before putting fresh bedding on her bed. Edhida was still miserable after her shower, but Luke noticed her temperature was down. The heat and moisture from the shower had loosened the phlegm in her throat, and Edhida spent a couple of minutes coughing it up before she laid back down.

Unfortunately, Marion had to go to the office, which she had to admit was one of the hardest things she had ever done because she desperately wanted to stay with Luke. However, Luke remained by Edhida’s side all day, ensuring she drank water and told her stories. As the day wore on, Luke kept an eye on how Edhida was doing and was thankful that her breathing wasn’t too severely affected yet. She also began urinating again; it was still dark yellow and had a strong smell, but the fact that she was going to the bathroom said much. By the end of the day, Luke was exhausted but couldn’t leave. Edhida begged him to stay, and someone had to keep an eye on her. Thankfully, Marion brought some bedding so Luke could sleep on the floor next to Edhida.

Over the next week, Luke only left Edhida’s side to go the bathroom or take a quick shower. When Edhida slept, Luke worked on paperwork that was slid under the door. By the end of the week, however, she had slid further downhill, and Luke had never felt so helpless watching his adopted daughter die before him. What made it worse was that Luke knew diphtheria was a curable disease in his time; he was, after all, vaccinated against it.

Finally, thirteen days after Alice had fetched Luke, Edhida gave up the fight and passed into the afterlife. Luke had been by her side, holding her hand while she struggled to take her final breath. When Edhida died, it felt like his soul had been extinguished, and when he stood, all emotions had vanished. Death finally became too much for Luke, and he shut down emotionally.

With Edhida dead, Luke decided to give Alice everything she needed so she could begin manufacturing diphtheria antitoxin. The process was broadly outlined in one of the medical texts that Luke brought back with him, but Alice never had the money to pursue the antitoxin, plus she had ten other things that needed to be done first. Now, money wouldn’t be a problem as Luke decided to cover the enormous research and manufacturing costs even if it bankrupted him; he wanted to ensure no other parent had to suffer like he had while waiting for Edhida to die.

“I’m so sorry, Luke. I wish there were something I could do to help you,” Marion told Luke as he was getting ready to leave.